We welcomed our new son Colin Dominick into the world on December 26, 2011. I look forward to all the wonderful memories we get to make in 2012, especially watching these two little men grow up and learn as brothers and friends.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Gingerbread House
Every year, the school where I work offers families a chance to order a pre-finished gingerbread house to decorate. I ordered our first last year when Scott was one and he loved it! Typically the families decorate them at the school Christmas party, but some choose to take them home. With the Kindergarten class putting on a small play every year on that night, it leaves me little time to work on it with my family at that time. We chose to bring ours home again this year and tonight we decorated it together! Scott had a lot of fun (eating candy mostly) but he did help a lot placing the candy as well. I hope we can continue this tradition for years to come!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Top 5 Photography Tips
I'm no photography pro, I barely know half of what my NikonD3100 can do, but what I do know is that I have a love for taking photos. I guess I could call myself a shutterbug. I always have a camera on hand, whether it's my iPhone, my small Sony Cybershot or my DSLR. I just never want a photo opp to pass me by! Anyway, as much as I take pics I have developed sort of a routine for the way I handle my cameras and approach my photo set ups. These small tricks have really helped me capture some great shots.
1. Don't be afraid to turn your camera. I like horizontal shots, but turning the camera vertical or even on small angles can add a bit more excitement to the end product!
2. Get down, get down, get down...especially when photographing children. It's important to capture some moments from the level of the subject instead of always shooting them from above. It usually seems to add a nice perspective to the completed shot!
3. You have a digital camera without film so don't be afraid to take multiple shots of the same thing. I always do this and then choose the nicest out of the bunch at a later time. There are usually only slight differences between the photos, but they could be differences that make or break how happy you are with your photo, so click, click, click!
4. Turn off that flash! Try using natural light as much as possible, it really makes for a better photo in most cases. I'm still figuring how to compensate for low light with my big camera, but I'm getting there. Honestly though, the shots without the flash always turn out to be the ones I like better!
5. Have fun! Don't be too serious about your photo list. Yes, there are always certain shots you'd like to capture while on vacation or while attending special events, but always remember to catch the details, a laugh from a relative, a sleeping pet, a close up of that graduation tassel. Anything that helps your final album tell a complete story will be a positive element. Remember, your shooting in digital, you can always delete what you don't like.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
I
...am a redhead
...am in my 30's (eeek)
...am a wife
...am a mother
...am a friend
...am creative
...am kind
...am quiet most of the time
...am not afraid to speak up when something bothers me
...am trustworthy
...like taking photos
...like mashed potatoes
...like Yankee candles
...like my job
...like traveling
...like Target
...like decorating
...like bacon pizza
...like my iPhone
...like caramel creams
...like quiet nights
...like blogging
...like comfy clothing
...dislike Manwich
...dislike spoiled brats
...dislike driving in the snow
...dislike early mornings
...dislike high fashion
...dislike ingrown toenails
...dislike road rage
...dislike lies
...dislike taking out the trash
...support our troops
...support Democrats and I
...support Republicans
...support children
...support recycling
...support the Phillies
...support breastfeeding (at least trying)
...support my husband
...have ideas
...have a baby growing inside me
...have gay friends
...have a happy home
...have my health
...have a cat
...have happiness
...am in my 30's (eeek)
...am a wife
...am a mother
...am a friend
...am creative
...am kind
...am quiet most of the time
...am not afraid to speak up when something bothers me
...am trustworthy
...like taking photos
...like mashed potatoes
...like Yankee candles
...like my job
...like traveling
...like Target
...like decorating
...like bacon pizza
...like my iPhone
...like caramel creams
...like quiet nights
...like blogging
...like comfy clothing
...dislike Manwich
...dislike spoiled brats
...dislike driving in the snow
...dislike early mornings
...dislike high fashion
...dislike ingrown toenails
...dislike road rage
...dislike lies
...dislike taking out the trash
...support our troops
...support Democrats and I
...support Republicans
...support children
...support recycling
...support the Phillies
...support breastfeeding (at least trying)
...support my husband
...have ideas
...have a baby growing inside me
...have gay friends
...have a happy home
...have my health
...have a cat
...have happiness
Friday, December 16, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Peppermint Bark
This is a holiday treat I have been making for the past few years. It is fairly easy and requires only a few ingredients! It's very tasty and perfect for Christmas munching! All you need is...
one bag of white chocolate chips
(a 12 oz bag works well for one small batch).
Candy canes (8-10 for a small batch)
peppermint extract for extra flavor if you like
wax paper and a cookie sheet
I choose to melt my chips in the microwave, but a double boiler is recommended
Unwrap candy canes and place in a ziploc bag...have a little helper smash them up with a heavy kitchen tool that he could easily hurt himself with
spread melted chocolate on cookie sheet (add extract right before spreading if you are using it) and sprinkle candy cane pieces all over the melted chocolate
place in the refrigerator for about 1/2 hour or until cool and firm then break into bark sized pieces... enjoy for yourself or package for gifting.
Reward your little helper with a sugary treat and praise him for not breaking the glass table or his finger
He'll be happy!
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Hipstamatic Holidays!
I have an iPhone and ok, I'll admit part of the reason I wanted an iPhone was so I could buy the awesome Hipstamatic app. For anyone who doesn't know what it is, first check out the website... http://hipstamatic.com/ and then believe me when I say it's really, super cool! Hipstamatic is a fun way to vary the photos you take on your phone using options that make your pics look like old, square instamatic prints. I love it, and use it when I am just fooling around taking fun photos. I still adore my big camera, but for something neat and different, this is the way I go. I use the free "film" and "lenses" that the app comes with, but there are some cool bundles you can purchase with even more choices. (I'm sure it won't be long before I'm spending a bit on those) Anyway, check out some of my more recent holiday hipsta prints and enjoy!
Home for the holidays |
30th St station Philadelphia |
Watching Dad hang some lights |
Scott's first hockey game |
Hershey Bears hockey |
Ready for a holiday outing |
immersed in The Polar Express |
Lights |
My cookie sprinkler |
Our tree |
Setting up Grandpops trains |
Ho Ho Ho! |
Holiday flavors, best part about Starbucks |
Favorite pastime, Christmas or not |
Brushing in the Santa PJs |
Macy's light show in center city Philadelphia |
Our kitchen chalkboard/Christmas card display |
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